The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 28 advanced a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) to ensure the People’s Republic of China (PRC) does not get preferential treatment in any international treaties, agreements, or organizations. The bill now heads to the full chamber for action.
If enacted, the PRC Is Not a Developing Country Act, H.R. 1107, which Rep. Kim sponsored on Feb. 21 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), would direct the U.S. Secretary of State to take certain actions regarding the labeling of the PRC as a developing country, according to the text of the bill.
“We cannot let the People’s Republic of China exploit countries in need and take advantage of international treaties and organizations,” Rep. Kim said. “The PRC is Not a Developing Country Act will ensure that the Chinese government is not receiving favorable treatment and influence at the expense of truly developing nations.”
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that China is not a developing country, despite claims to the contrary by the PRC.
“I am proud that our committee’s bipartisan legislation passed out of committee today at the steadfast leadership of Subcommittee Chairwoman Kim,” Rep. McCaul said on Tuesday. “This resolution strongly reaffirms America’s commitment to countering the PRC’s destabilizing actions and political interference on the world stage.”
The committee chairman also strongly urged the international community to terminate the PRC’s ‘developing country’ label and work with partners to do the same.
“I will keep working to ensure that the PRC is held accountable, and the United States and our values lead the way in supporting developing countries around the world,” said Rep. Kim.
U.S. Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL) and French Hill (R-AR) also this week signed on as cosponsors of H.R. 1107.